President of Emirates airline says island airport in Thames estuary would enable UK remain an international hub

Mayor of London Boris Johnson's idea for and island airport in the Thames estuary received support from the airline Emirates.

Tim Clark, the president of the airline, told The Times that the airport would help to prevent Britain from being overshadowed by international rivals.

Johnson announced the airport proposal, drawn up by his officials, last week. The hub would be open 24 hours a day, with the potential for six runways.

Clark suggested Heathrow’s long-term development was “severely compromised.” He told The Times: “There is no room for growth [at Heathrow]. European and Middle Eastern hubs will eventually eclipse it.

“A new airport in the Thames estuary would tick all the boxes in terms of growth and the environment, and would be funded by the sale of Heathrow for property development.”

Clark added that the construction of Boris Island would allow for Gatwick to be closed, since it would only be 40 miles away from the new airport.

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